Good start, but then it gets ruined

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

I've read the book in Russian translation about 30 times and I can't even count how many times I've seen the movie! This is an exellent movie... very dramatic, emotional, intriguing and romantic! It has it all: pretty girl, cute guy, love story, illness, tragedy, death, a good ending and of course the music... the music from this film is one of a kind and the main melody still gives me chills to this present day in 2003. I would love to read the book in English (if it exists, that is...) and see an English translation to the movie, so if anyone can help me, please e-mail me! Thank you!